04/12/2011

oh tannenbaum!

I've mentioned before that we didn't know what to expect in the way of Christmas tradition here. I wasn't sure if we would be able to find a Christmas tree or how decorating would be as they don't have many pine or balsam trees we Americans would consider traditional. Would we be able to find pine boughs or garland to decorate? I knew the possibility of snow was slim, but would it still feel like Christmas when its 80+ and sunny? Due to our limited space we didn't bring many traditional Christmas decorations with us when we moved. (i.e. THE HOARD).
We figured we would figure it out when the time came. Well, the time is here and I still don't feel festive. It's actually kind of a relief not to have to drag out the mountain of Christmas decorations we own and then put them away. There are a goodly selection of artificial trees, but not really the size or quality of the artificials we have in the States.
Would we be stuck with a Charlie Brown tree? Would that be so bad, I found that you can actually buy a CB tree now... funny.

Christmas is just not as commercial here as it is at home. And by that I mean there are holiday decorations, but you don't see Pick n Pay dedicating half the floor to Christmas. They have 3 aisles and that's it. They don't have whole temp stores dedicated simply to Christmas and all its commercial glory. The houses aren't bedecked in Griswoldian finery. I haven't seen a blow-up santa on the front lawn yet. Really, if you weren't paying close attention you might miss the fact that it's approaching the holiday of all holidays.
So I've researched our options. These are the "traditional" native tree alternatives.

Any one of these beaut's would make for a fantastically African christmas tree. But I think I might not fit them in the front door. What do you think? The first pic is a yellowwood, the second an acacia, and the last a baobab. All native trees, all distinct. Would look pretty good all up in lights, what do you think?? .Geseënde Kersfees! (Merry Christmas in Afrikaans)